airline

I learned about a cheap, effective way to upgrade a flight in a post from Peter Shankman (keynote speaker at Affiliate Summit East 2009) titled, “My Secret Eight-Dollar Guaranteed Flight Upgrade Trick.”

I thought that I was a frequent flyer with about 130,000 miles in the air last year, but Peter takes between 200 and 250 flights a year. He’s always in the air.

His trick is to pick up one of those big bags of M&M’s at the airport – the big “family size” bag – and then hand it to the lead flight attendant when boarding. He tells the flight attendant the treats are for them and their co-workers.

So, you were probably thinking this is to get a better seat. He flies so much he is always getting upgrades. This is to improve the flight experience for him and the rest of the passengers because it makes the day better for the crew.

Those little, delicious candies brighten the day of the crew, who often get crap from passengers.

I have done this lots of times, and it’s usually when I am flying with some or all of my four kids.

I always say hello on the way in the plane to the flight attendants, and then thank you on the way out, which seems to be a happy surprise to them.

When I bring the M&M’s they are regularly bowled over by the gesture. Not only does a big smile come across their faces, but they are super attentive to me during the flight.

They will almost always ask for my seat assignment, or else they will just find me.

it works wonders. Try it on your next flight.